What happen to the organs and brain after an autopsy?

Answer 1

donated

No, not necessarily. Organs are usually useless for transplant donation after such a time has elapsed, and can only be donated to medical schools for students to study and dissect as part of their training. In any case, such donation can only happen if the deceased has especially stipulated that they are happy for this to happen. Normally, they are returned to the body for burial or cremation by the next of kin.

In cases where the autopsy is investigating an unknown cause of death as oppose to a routine confirmation of a suspected cause, or in cases where the dead person has been murdered and further investigation is needed to determine what they died of, how a bullet or knife wound entered and exited an organ etc., then the organ(s) may be retained for a longer period to be examined by forensic pathologists. If poisoning is suspected, then chemical tests may be done to confirm that this was the cause of death. During such time, the body is kept in cold storage in case any other part of it needs examination- finally, when a conclusion is reached and agreed upon, then the organs are placed back in the cadaver which is handed over to the next of kin for disposal.